Sam Livingston

Need some help/advice for my new cichlid tank and have oh so many questions, was hoping for quick like answers instead of asking a question, getting answer 30 minutes later, then thinking of another question and the trend goes on. If anyone knows their cichlids and can help out that would be greatly appreciated, and even if don't have aol chat or something I will take long route if someone feels they know cichlids well enough. Thanks!

Angela_96

I am going to be on here for a few min, what cichlids do you have?

Sam Livingston

4 Convict cichlids, put them in a 40 gallon tank today, main questions are can I put any other cichlids in there with them, if not any other fish period? I would like a couple scavengers to eat any uneaten food, but pleco too big for this tank, would corycats be ok or attacked? I have plenty of snails but also have sand substrate and they move so well on sand so stick on walls 90% of time so woudln't get much of any food that lands on substrate.

Angela_96

I wouldn't mix them w/ cory cats they are extremely aggressive cichilds, I would consider a large pleco of somekind. I would also stick w/ species only.

Sam Livingston

If species only I'll probably attempt to breed (not that I have choice whether they breed or not haha) so should I stick with 4 or get 2 or so more to increase chances of pairing up. Also I'll have to remove the rest when a pair forms won't I? And about how long does it take them to pair up and will they only stick to their mate and stop going by the other convicts? Just checking to see if it's obvious when they pair up. Sorry I got a lot of questions for these guys. How can I tell when a female is pregnant, and at that stage about how long will it be before she lays eggs?

Sam Livingston

Oh heres another question, would dragon goby's be able to go with the cichlids? I have them in my 75 G at the moment and one is very large 8-10" while other is medium 5-7". Only reason I'm asking is because the goby's don't really ever move out of their caves and I'm afraid with my fatties in the tank with them (primarily my very fat dojo loaches) that they aren't getting as much food as they would in tank with just 4 convicts. Though it definitely don't look like my large goby is starving by any measures. Was thinking since goby's are a lot bigger than the cichlids and never move maybe they won't be target of attack.

Angela_96

I am not familar w/ breeding convicts, I am with angels, and lake malawi cichilds. One thread I read says it takes one month for them to pair off, Here is one thread where someone set up a breeding tank: set up a breeding tank

I just didn't want to give the wrong advice on breeding the convicts.

I am more familar with telling the setting up, and what cichlid can go in what tank w/ what. Breeding them, I can breed malawis and angels (just starting w/ bristlenose catfish).

Sam Livingston

Wow bristlenose catfish would be very interesting make sure to post your experience with that. I have just read in article in my magazine about twig catfish breeding and I was interested to see they were common to cichlids in regards to parental care of the eggs and fry though not as aggressive of course. Thanks for link I'll be sure to check in with him on advice for breeding them.

Angela_96

no prob, I have posted the findings w/ fry it was a shocker to find the bristlenose fry, I was cleaning the tank when I found them. Now I am setting up PVC pipe for them to breed on purpose since they like the tank conditions so well.

Sam Livingston

Oh they already breeded, gratz! I'll be sure to find that posting.